Die relevansie van kerklike tug in 'n post-moderne wêreld: 'n studie van die kerkorde van die Ned. Geref. Kerk

[摘要] English: The church discipline is made possible by Christ that governs his church through his Wordand Spirit. He is the one that governs his church. Thus the church discipline becomes a resultof Christ's authority in the church. The lines of the church discipline are visible in God'sWord. From this it emerges that the church discipline is not something that is unfounded, butsomething that is fundamental in the life of the church. The church discipline is used by theTriune God to lead his chosen ones to Him. The church discipline is just like multifaceteddiamond that has many characteristics like love. The result is that the love that God has forman, we as his followers have to prove and convey to each other. The church discipline alsohas a spiritual character. Other characteristics of the church discipline are the judicial,pedagogical, as well as a healing and pastoral character that the church discipline has. Christis the one that applies the church discipline. He is the Subject of the church discipline.The necessity of the church discipline can be argued from the Old Testament as well as theNew Testament. The principle of the church discipline is taught to the disciples by ChristHimself. Christ self has ordained the church discipline and thus it is necessary to maintain thechurch discipline as a church action. The church discipline is necessary, particularly for thechurch, because God requires holiness in his church. He requires this because He is holy andHe also expects his assembly to be holy.In the Dutch Reformed Church-Church order article 59 it seems that church discipline seeksthe glory of God, the salvation of the church and the preservation of sinners. The churchdiscipline is ordained by God to lead those who wander from the Lamb back to him in love.The article goes further to show that there are certain requirements needed for the churchdiscipline to be carried out correctly. The requirements are that the church discipline shouldbe by the Word of God, the Creeds, the church order and other stipulations of the church aswell as the service agreements.The church discipline also becomes part of the everyday doctrine and life of each member ofthe church of Christ. From this it is evident that the church discipline cannot take placewithout Biblical or spiritual truths, which is exercised by the offices and the believers, in equity and justice. Furthermore it is clear that the church discipline should be applied in love,but also with a certain sense of rigor, without which the church discipline cannot be applied.Yet, if one looks at the practical side of the execution of the church discipline, it is neglectedbecause of the fear that the church could lose its members. The conclusion is that a churchthat does not exercise the church discipline is a church that does not fulfil its calling fromGod, and that is the calling that the church is established as God's love fellowship in theworld.Christ is the one that ordains the church discipline and therefore the church discipline must beapplied through love, equity and justice, otherwise we abandon our calling as God's churchfor worldly acceptance.

[发布机构] University of the Free State